Day 126: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Solti)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (WAB 108), nicknamed “The Apocalyptic,” although I don’t know why, is Hungarian-born Sir Georg Solti (1912-1997), an artist with a long and noteworthy career. His orchestra for this box set is equally revered: the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. I first heard Sir Georg Solti … [Read more…]

Day 125: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Skrowaczewski)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (WAB 108), nicknamed “The Apocalyptic,” although I don’t know why, is Stanislaw Skrowaczewski (1923-), the famed Polish-born artist who even has a web site with a cool name: Seeking The Infinite, which is also the title of a very fine biography about him … [Read more…]

Day 124: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Rogner)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (WAB 108), nicknamed “The Apocalyptic,” although I don’t know why, is Heinz Rogner (1929-2001), who was born in Leipzig, Germany. Maestro Rogner is included in a box set that bears his name in large letters called Bruckner: Complete Symphonies, which you can buy … [Read more…]

Day 123: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Paternostro)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (WAB 108), nicknamed “The Apocalyptic,” although I don’t know why, is Vienna-born Roberto Paternostro (1957?-). I first heard the mysterious Mr. Paternostro (the box set contains zero information about him…and there’s scant info about him online) on Day 11, when he interpreted Symphony … [Read more…]

Day 122: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Masur)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (WAB 108), nicknamed “The Apocalyptic,” although I don’t know why, is Kurt Masur (1927-2015), another person about whom I knew nothing and of whom I had never heard until I started this project. Maestro Masur was born in Germany and died in December, … [Read more…]

Day 121: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Maazel)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (WAB 108), nicknamed “The Apocalyptic,” although I don’t know why, is American Lorin Maazel (1930-2014). I first encountered Maestro Maazel on Day 9 in my 144-day project. On that day, he interpreted Bruckner’s First. Then again on Day 25, Symphony No. 2. Then … [Read more…]

Day 120: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Karajan)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (WAB 108), nicknamed “The Apocalyptic,” although I don’t know why, is Austrian Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989), one of the most highly respected conductors – and interpreters of Anton Bruckner’s music – who ever lived. (By the way, the CD sleeve above, left, reads … [Read more…]

Day 119: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Jochum)

I saw Daniel Barenboim conduct Staatskapelle Berlin’s performance of Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 last night at Carnegie Hall. It was an unforgettable experience. I loved every second of it. Anyway, on with the show today… This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (WAB 108) (nicknamed “The Apocalyptic,” although I don’t … [Read more…]

Day 118: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Jochum)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (WAB 108) (nicknamed “The Apocalyptic,” although I don’t know why) is German-born Eugen Jochum (1902-1987), unarguably one of the most highly respected interpreters of Anton Bruckner’s music who ever lived. I have two CD box sets featuring Maestro Jochum – this one, on … [Read more…]

Day 117: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Haitink)

ANNOUNCEMENT: I made a decision this morning whilst I sat, alone, in the darkened upper floor of the local Panera. I recently discovered seven more box sets of Bruckner’s symphonies. I don’t know why I wasn’t aware of them before I started this blog. But, because of my Bruckner project, readers brought them to my … [Read more…]